New Ulm, MN vs St. James, MN

St. James is moderately more affordable than New Ulm, with a 13.4% lower cost of living index. New Ulm scores 76 compared to 67 for St. James, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of New Ulm can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in New Ulm is $974/month compared to $805/month in St. James — a 21% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: St. James is more affordable at $109,600 median vs $192,700.

Median household income in New Ulm is $63,984 compared to $57,031 in St. James (+12.2%). The higher salaries in New Ulm partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of New Ulm spend roughly 18.3% of their income on rent, more than the 16.9% in St. James.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (45.4°F vs 44.6°F). St. James receives more rainfall at 29.3" per year compared to 28" in New Ulm.